Kurt Busch has his day in court, gets community service
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Kurt Busch will perform community service, of a nature to be determined, as part of a resolution of the Nov. 11 traffic incident in Maricopa County, Arizona, that resulted in Busch being suspended for the final two races of the 2005 Nextel Cup season.Busch, the 2004 champion in NASCAR's top series, appeared in court Wednesday in Tolleson, Ariz., and agreed to terms proposed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
According to a release from Penske Racing South, the team for which he will drive in 2006, Busch "took responsibility for excessive speed, as well as citations for passing in a no passing zone and following another vehicle too closely."
Busch was driving for Roush Racing last season when his car was stopped by a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy on Friday night. In addition to traffic citations, the report from the incident said Busch argued with the officer.
Busch also was given a sobriety test, which he passed. His No. 97 Fords were sponsored, in part by Crown Royal and its program promoting responsible drinking of alcohol.
Crown Royal and other sponsors urged team owner Jack Roush to take action against Busch, and the driver was suspended for races at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I am pleased to have this incident behind me," Busch said in the statement.
"I have learned many lessons from the situation and one of them is that speeding should be saved for the race track."
Busch said he's is now looking forward to the new season, which begins with Speedweeks activities at Daytona International Speedway.
He will be at the track on Thursday for the Nextel Cup circuit's preseason media day.
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Kurt Busch will perform community service, of a nature to be determined, as part of a resolution of the Nov. 11 traffic incident in Maricopa County, Arizona, that resulted in Busch being suspended for the final two races of the 2005 Nextel Cup season.Busch, the 2004 champion in NASCAR's top series, appeared in court Wednesday in Tolleson, Ariz., and agreed to terms proposed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
According to a release from Penske Racing South, the team for which he will drive in 2006, Busch "took responsibility for excessive speed, as well as citations for passing in a no passing zone and following another vehicle too closely."
Busch was driving for Roush Racing last season when his car was stopped by a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy on Friday night. In addition to traffic citations, the report from the incident said Busch argued with the officer.
Busch also was given a sobriety test, which he passed. His No. 97 Fords were sponsored, in part by Crown Royal and its program promoting responsible drinking of alcohol.
Crown Royal and other sponsors urged team owner Jack Roush to take action against Busch, and the driver was suspended for races at Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I am pleased to have this incident behind me," Busch said in the statement.
"I have learned many lessons from the situation and one of them is that speeding should be saved for the race track."
Busch said he's is now looking forward to the new season, which begins with Speedweeks activities at Daytona International Speedway.
He will be at the track on Thursday for the Nextel Cup circuit's preseason media day.
